Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations 2009
Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with grandeur, gaiety and religious fervour at Sri Jagannath Mandir, ISKCON-Coimbatore, for four days from the 13th to 16th August 2009. Thousands of devotees thronged the temple to join in the festivities. The Kalasabhishekam, Maha Abhishekam, Akhanda Nama Sankirtan, Religious discourses from Srimad Bhagavatham and Cultural Programs were the major attractions. Eminent personalities graced these functions as Guests of Honour. On the temple grounds, a stage was erected and comfortable seating arrangements were made for the Cultural Programs and Lectures. Hectic activity was witnessed in the special area carved out for stalls for continuous audio-visual preaching, sale of transcendental books of Srila Prabhupada and other items of the Lord’s worship. On all four days delicious Mahaprasadam was distributed, in large quantity, to each and every visitor.
Well before dawn on the 13th, the gates of the Temple opened to welcome the devotees for the darshan of their Lordships Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra Devi. Darshan was open all day till 10 PM. The renowned Scholar Thiru VELUKKUDI KRISHNAN inaugurated the Festival with his engrossing discourse on ‘Namasankirtanam and Alwars’. In the evening, the Chief Guest Sri.Ashutosh Chandra, IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax, Coimbatore, distributed prizes to the winners of the Children’s Cultural Fest - ‘The Great Indian Heritage 2009′. Sri.Ravi Sam, Managing Director, Adwaith Lakshmi Industries Limited graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. The students of Lalit Kala Kshetra staged a colourful Dance-Drama. The highlight of the day was the KALASABHISHEKAM - The Grand Abhishekam of Lord Krishna from beautifully decorated Copper/Silver/Gold Kalashams filled with water from holy rivers, milk etc.
14th was the special day of ISKCON devotees - who celebrated the Birth of Lord Krishna at the stroke of midnight. The day long Nirjala fasting gave them additional zest to serve the Lord and the visitors to the temple throughout the day. The non-stop Bhajans interspersed with Bhagavatam discourses transported one to the Lord’s abode. Padma Bhushan Arutselvar Dr. N. Mahalingam, Chairman, Sakthi Group of Companies was the Chief Guest of the day. The visitors were treated to a vivid and captivating Dance-Drama performance “Kadambari”, by the students of ‘Shivanjali’, Temple of Fine Arts. At 11 PM the temple was all set to receive ‘Bala Gopal’ for his Maha Abhishekam. Amidst recital of bhajans and Vedic chants, our beloved little Krishna was bathed in sandalwood paste, milk, curd, ghee, honey, and a cascade of colourful, fragrant flowers. The devotees then broke their fast with the Charanamrit and thereafter, Anukalpa Prasadam.
On 15th August, which is also Independence Day, “Nandotsavam” was celebrated with a delicious, sumptuous feast in the afternoon. In the evening, the 113th Vyasa Puja of our beloved founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada was celebrated with reverence, with Abhishekam, Maha Arati and Pushpanjali. Subsequently, H.H Bhakti Vinoda Swami Maharaj glorified Srila Prabhupada as the giver of ‘REAL INDEPENDENCE’, in the presence of the Chief Guest of the day, Mr.Anshul Misra, I.A.S, Commissioner, Coimbatore Corporation. This was followed by a wonderful dance performance by Selvi. Karuna Sagari.
On 16th morning - the last day of the celebrations - the temple ground was ablaze with colours of children dressed up for “Rasa” - Krishna Leela Dress Competition. They had turned up dressed as Lord Krishna, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Hanuman and other personalities from our scriptures. Much to the delight of the crowd, many recited the “Gita Saram” effortlessly and performed dances and skits depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna and Rama. In the evening the Chief Guest, Padmashri Dr. G. Bhaktavatsalam, Chairman, K.G. Hospital, Coimbatore, delivered the concluding address which was followed by a delightful Dance-Drama Performance by the troupe “Sri Shanti Niketan”. A CD depicting the Janmashtami festivities was released on this special occasion. At the end of the day, in keeping with the traditional spirit of Janmashtami, the skies opened up bringing a heavy downpour. It was as though the Lord had acknowledged the loving efforts and offerings of the devotees. A tasty Prasadam treat marked the end of the day and the end of the festivities.
Photos from the event can be accessed by clicking here
